The grace alone doctrine is an attempt to
explain God’s working in the hearts of the elect. It influences many people and
hence needs to be critically examined, as do all belief systems, to test it’s
consistency with the Scriptures

I do not presume to know everything about this doctrine and
I can only address those aspects I have encountered. Theologians call the
doctrine “monergism”. Basically meaning that God alone works unto the salvation
of man. This is the doctrine espoused by John Calvin who was greatly influenced
by Augustine of Hippo. Augustine, although a great man, has a dark side. A
nine-year association with Manichean Gnosticism is bound to produce some
influence.

Is salvation by grace alone?

Salvation is by the grace of God but salvation is not by
grace alone. Salvation is by grace through faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves. It is the gift of God. Ephesians 2: 8

This verse alone should settle the issue, but there is
more, much more. God has emphasized this point over and over again.

But the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:
4

But the righteous man shall live by faith. Romans 1: 17

The righteous man shall live by faith. Galatians 3: 11

But My righteous one shall live by faith, Hebrews 10:
38

God, in all His sovereignty and grace has decided to save
those that believe.

1 Corinthians 1: 21

What is the source of the doctrine of “grace only”?

The source is a completely deterministic view of the
sovereignty of God combined with the doctrine of original sin. These
suppositions color their over all interpretation of the Scriptures. Please read
the articles on the Sovereignty of God and Original Sin.

Has God in His sovereignty predetermined all the events
in life?

Adherents of this view reason that since God is sovereign,
He is all-powerful; therefore those that are lost are lost because God wills it
to be so. This is a terribly wrong conclusion, which maligns the character and
nature of God. God

Has plainly revealed to us in His word that He has no
pleasure in the death of anyone and wills all men to be saved. Ezekiel 18: 32;
33: 11; 2 Peter 3: 9

Certainly God is sovereign! In His sovereignty and
according to His

Righteousness, God has chosen a different path. He has set
a choice before man. But if man does not actively choose, he chooses by
default. This is revealed in His word. It is not a matter of deduction.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today,
that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So
choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants. Deuteronomy
30: 19

Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the
way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it, for
the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those
who find it. Mathew 7: 13, 14

Is His Sovereignty threatened by so doing?

Certainly not, because He has fixed a day in which He will
judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He appointed, having
furnished proof to all by raising Him from the dead. Regardless of man choices,
God is still in control. God never relinquishes ultimate sovereignty. Acts 17:
31

Is man totally incapacitated by original sin?

We certainly acknowledge that Adam sinned and that as a
result death and sin entered the world. But that which was lost in Adam will be
restored in Christ. All will be made alive, and much more. God does not hold
us spiritually accountable for the sins of another. We die spiritually as a
result of out own sins.

James 2: 13-15

This is a fiction perpetrated by those who wish to promote
an idea. the material things are inherently evil. This is Gnosticism pure and
simple. The primary meaning of being spiritually “dead” in sin is not inability
to act but separation from God.

Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall
find; knock, and it shall be open to you. For everyone who asks receives; and
he who seek finds; and to him who knock it shall be opened. Matthew 7: 7, 8

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not
as in my presence only, but now more in my absence, work out your salvation with
fear andtrembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and
to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2: 12, 13

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears
my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and
he with me.

Revelation 3: 20

What are the foundations of this doctrine?

The acronym TULIP has been widely applied.

T- total depravity or inability

U- unconditional election

L- limited atonement

I- irresistible grace

P- perseverance of the saints

What is total depravity or inability to act for the
good?

This doctrine states that as a result of Adam’s original
sin man is total sinful and unable to do the good until regenerated by the Holy
Spirit of God. I reject this doctrine because:

The spiritual standing of man before God is not
dependent on another

Man becomes a sinner as a result of his own desire
running amuck.

Instances can be cited of the unregenerate doing good
and recognized by God; i.e. Nicodemus

Man is not born a sinner. A little child is pure and
holy.

Is the election unconditional?

The election is based upon the foreknowledge of God. 1
Peter 1: 2; Romans 8: 29

The election is not determinative but predictive. 2
Peter 3: 9

God identifies, He knows from all eternity who will be
saved.

Ephesians 1: 4

The election is not based on acts of positive volition
of man; on the contrary God foreknows those who will deny themselves. Matthew
16: 24

Is the atonement limited to the elect?

By the grace of God Christ tasted death for every man.
Hebrew 2: 9

God so loved the world, not just the elect, that He gave
His Son.

John 3: 16

The Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world, not just
the elect.

John 16: 8-11

Who is the Savior of all men, especially believers. 1
Timothy 4: 10

This doctrine makes God into something He said He is
not, a respecter of persons. Acts 10: 34

Does God act irresistibly in the lives of man?

This views supposes that God gives the Holy Spirit to the
elect before they have been reconciled to God.

The Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world, not just
the elect. The Spirit does this through the word, which was to be preached to
every creature. John 16: 8-11

God works powerfully and actively, but not irresistibly
through the gospel, the word. Romans 1: 16, 17

Examples can be cited of those who have resisted God.
Acts 7: 51

The Holy Spirit is given to those who believe, obey,
repent and are baptized. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit
of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” John 7: 39; Acts 2: 38,
39; 5: 32; Galatians 4: 6

The gospel, God’s power to salvation, works through love

What is perseverance?

Perseverance is continuing in a state of grace until it is
succeeded by the state of glory. It is often claimed that no one who is a
Christian can sin so as to be lost. This claim completely misses the point.
Man enters the state of grace through faith and he falls from that state when he
stops believing and substitutes another path, keeping law. Man does not fall
from grace because of sin but because of unbelief.

Conclusion:

Please, please examine the “grace only” doctrine. The
presuppositions on which it rest are either consistent with the revelation of
God or they are completely untenable. The five pillars are either pillars of
the truth or sinkholes of deception. There is no middle ground. But the most
offensive aspect to me is that God is portrayed as some uncaring being who
delights (His good pleasure) in and wills the damnation of the lost.

If you are caught up in this doctrine please take the time
to critically examine the entire scheme. Read the following verses for
starters.

That by the grace of God He might taste death for
everyone. Hebrew 2: 9

For the Lord is not slow about His promises, as some
count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for
all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3: 9

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to
all men. Titus 2: 11

Who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
1 Timothy 4: 10

Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.